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Good lights at a good price?

The HutcHThe HutcH Posts: 107
edited November 2008 in MTB buying advice
Hi there. Im looking to buy a decent set of lights to use throughout the winter as the evenings get dark now. I don't want to spend loads on a set, around the £30 mark if possible. Has anyone got any suggestions? Thanks.

Posts

  • supersonicsupersonic Posts: 82,708 Lives Here
    Not much at that money: have a look at the Tesco 3w cree thread if want maximum brightness, or for commuting a twin pack set from cateye.
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  • The HutcHThe HutcH Posts: 107
    What are the Cateye sets like? I have heard they are good.
  • johnsavjohnsav Posts: 775
    good at being seen, but not that good at being able to see
  • supersonicsupersonic Posts: 82,708 Lives Here
    Used them for years when commuting. Well made, easy to fit, last ages, and quite bright.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • canada16canada16 Posts: 2,360
    Rumour is, that supersonic bought a 900 lumen torch for 25.00 :lol:

    So thats under your 30.00 budget, and you will have cars telling you to turn your lights down.
    The Ride

    http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af92 ... 010735.jpg
  • The HutcHThe HutcH Posts: 107
    What are the Cateye sets like? I have heard they are good.
  • canada16canada16 Posts: 2,360
    Johnsav has said they are good at being seen but not good for lighting the path

    Spend an extra 10enner and get a fenix light.
    The Ride

    http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af92 ... 010735.jpg
  • The HutcHThe HutcH Posts: 107
    yh but it works out a lot more when you get a bike adaptor for the fenix light unless there is another way of fitting them .
  • DazzzaDazzza Posts: 2,364
    canada16 wrote:
    Rumour is, that supersonic bought a 900 lumen torch for 25.00 :lol:

    So thats under your 30.00 budget, and you will have cars telling you to turn your lights down.

    Not quite more like 650, but a car has flashed me before, helmet light is handy for any driver that pushes their luck. ;)
    The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.
    Giant Anthem X
  • mhukmhuk Posts: 327
    You can a torch (or two), batteries, charger and a mount from deal extreme for less than £30, It's delivered from Hong Kong but delivery is free.
    Scott Scale
  • mhukmhuk Posts: 327
    Hmm.. there's no EDIT button on my post.

    http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2821
    http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7999
    Scott Scale
  • The HutcHThe HutcH Posts: 107
    I really just need a good front light.
  • supersonicsupersonic Posts: 82,708 Lives Here
    Just for commutung? Or do you want to light up the trail? Are you prepared to do some DIY to fit a torch? If the former just get any LED for a bik, as said, cateye are fool proof. If the latter, the torch option is the only way at 30 quid.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • The HutcHThe HutcH Posts: 107
    What Lumen power would you recommend? Has anyone heard of the Blackburn voyager light range? thanks for the advice guys, appreciate it.
  • The HutcHThe HutcH Posts: 107
    I want to be able to light trails.
  • The HutcHThe HutcH Posts: 107
    yh i woundnt mind doing a bit of D.I.Y to get a good light setup.
  • supersonicsupersonic Posts: 82,708 Lives Here
    Only option really is to go to tesco and buy a couple of their 3 watt torches and some rechargable batteries (and charger) and mount them on your bars at that price.

    For a tenner more this will do:

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=7221
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • cougiecougie Posts: 22,512
    For your budget - get two Tesco AA torches for £20.

    One on your helmet with elastic bands/zip tie/velcro/hairband.
    Other with the lock block £6.

    You'll be seen and light up the trails. Battery life is about 2 hours tho - so take spares.
  • The SpidermanThe Spiderman Posts: 5,625
    One of the guys on the STW forum,was reccomending the 230lumen Trustfire TR801 on deal extreme.
    If you buy their Ultrafire charger and a 2 pack of 18650 2500mah batteries it comes in under £25.
    You could then ziptie to your bars or helmet or buy a twofish lockblck for £7.
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo
  • cougiecougie Posts: 22,512
    If you're doing trails - I'd deffo go with two lights - then if you have one fail - you can still see where you are. If you just have the one and lose that - then its sods law you're on a tricky bit.
  • The HutcHThe HutcH Posts: 107
    Bought a twin halogen light set by Smart for my bike in the end, just gave them a go, they are brill, really light up the road. My local bike shop had got a deal on, they where £70 and i got them for £35. Get in!
  • grandad3grandad3 Posts: 322
    The HutcH wrote:
    Bought a twin halogen light set by Smart for my bike in the end, just gave them a go, they are brill, really light up the road. My local bike shop had got a deal on, they where £70 and i got them for £35. Get in!

    I'd get a tesco torch (batteries inc) aswell for a tenner and fasten to your HELMET. Helps

    to see the twisty bits of track.
    'Collapse the Light into Earth'
  • The HutcHThe HutcH Posts: 107
    Yh good idea although these twin halogen lights provide plenty of light, thanks for the advice.
  • uk_mr_brownstoneuk_mr_brownstone Posts: 343
    The HutcH wrote:
    Bought a twin halogen light set by Smart for my bike in the end, just gave them a go, they are brill, really light up the road. My local bike shop had got a deal on, they where £70 and i got them for £35. Get in!

    Are they the ones with the lead acid battery? I've used those- heavy due to the battery, but reliable and a nice yellow light.
  • BorisSpencerBorisSpencer Posts: 786
    If they are the lead acid version, you can pick up a spare battery from maplins for less than a fiver.
    Northwind wrote: It's like I covered it in superglue and rode it through ebay.
  • The HutcHThe HutcH Posts: 107
    Nah its the Ni-cad set. Here is a picture of my Dawes with the lights fitted on1hwhg7.jpg
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